Are there books on the history of sociology (or social psycology) told through the sociologists? [more inside]
posted by elationfoundation on Oct 25, 2009 - 2 answers

I like biographies of ordinary/non-famous people with interesting stories to tell, or stories from before they became notable. Can anyone recommend any? [more inside]
posted by mippy on Oct 5, 2009 - 40 answers

I've fallen in love with a certain older British character actor and want to write his biography...where do I begin? [more inside]
posted by frosty_hut on Sep 4, 2009 - 5 answers

I'm looking for details about H.P. Lovecraft's visits to Salem, MA. [more inside]
posted by robocop is bleeding on Aug 25, 2009 - 12 answers

I'm preparing for a massive personal archiving/interviewing trip with my grandparents and need advice regarding many aspects of the project. [more inside]
posted by ikahime on Aug 18, 2009 - 8 answers

Can you recommend some good beach reads for my honeymoon in a few weeks? [more inside]
posted by mikeweeney on Jul 1, 2009 - 23 answers

Please suggest movies, TV shows and books that feature unrepentant, amoral characters [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 10, 2009 - 71 answers

What are the best Old Hollywood (auto)biographies? [more inside]
posted by brittanyq on Jun 8, 2009 - 28 answers

Good biographies or autobiographies about First Ladies? [more inside]
posted by LolaCola on May 22, 2009 - 4 answers

Have you ordered a US military personnel file (aka "OMPF," or "201 file"), for someone famous that was "released" under the Persons of Exceptional Prominence (PEP) program? How did that go? How long did it take? Did you have to go there in person? [more inside]
posted by garfy3 on May 8, 2009 - 4 answers

What are some good biographies of James Madison? [more inside]
posted by GatorFan2000 on Mar 19, 2009 - 2 answers

Can anyone recommend any life writing anthologies? [more inside]
posted by laumry on Feb 28, 2009 - 3 answers

Who is (was?) Tas Soft Wind? A few quotes have been attributed to Tas Soft Wind, one of the most notable being "I like her because she smiles at me," and tonight a friend asked me if I could find biographical info on this person. I'm not at work (the library) so I don't have access to the other sources I might have checked, so, naturally, I Googled - to no avail, I'm ashamed to say. I was directed to several quotations sites, a frightening number of porn sites (?), and quite a few link farms, but no bio info. I tried several other meta and specialized engines with no result. And now that I can't find the answer, I am dying to know. Anyone? (Also, if you find the answer via Google or somesuch, I would LOVE to know what you used for a search string!) Thanks!
posted by coollibrarian on Feb 27, 2009 - 11 answers

I don't want to start a flame war among the fans but... it recently dawned on me that the late Elvis Presley's life must have been fascinating. Amazon tells me there are several hundreds biography to choose from. [more inside]
posted by Baud on Feb 12, 2009 - 10 answers

A friend of mine would like to read more about F. Scott Fitzgerald's life. What can you recommend? [more inside]
posted by Quidam on Dec 25, 2008 - 9 answers

A good friend is looking for a good Xmas gift for a younger, 'cooler', musically committed cousin (as in, wants to create and self-publish music). I suggested a good biography of an important figure in alternative music, and now I'm seeking recommendations. Inspirations, cautionary tales.... what tales have been encased in print about a trailblazer that could speak to a maverick young pup of 2008? Anwers on a postcard please!
posted by mywinningsmile on Nov 27, 2008 - 25 answers

I read Peter Ackroyd's London: The Biography awhile back and loved the loose-limbed, ambulatory, anecdote-heavy style of it. Is there a "biography" of New York City that shares some of those characteristics? If not, what is the most fascinating book that covers the full history of New York City (rather than specific time periods or subregions)? [more inside]
posted by Falconetti on Nov 17, 2008 - 10 answers

We all know Obama's father married his American mother, Stanley Ann Dunham. But Obama Snr also had another American wife, Ruth, with whom he had several children. What do we know about Ruth Obama?
posted by zaebiz on Nov 13, 2008 - 9 answers

Has anyone written a good biography of Robert Smith?
posted by pompomtom on Oct 28, 2008 - 5 answers

Tété-Michel Kpomassie: where is he now? Whatever happened to him? I can't find other books by him after An African in Greenland; I've read he eventually received French citizenship and lives there now - but what does he do? He must have written other books or articles, right? Anyone know?
posted by luriete on Sep 3, 2008 - 3 answers

How does one become a biographer? What's the usual route in, and how do publishers approach it? How does one approach and involve people? Vague specifics inside. [more inside]
posted by carbide on Aug 24, 2008 - 5 answers

I'm going to be writing a profile of a business professor who has won some teaching awards. I'll be interviewing him on the phone. What questions should I ask that would help me raise the interview above the lame threshold? I'd like the profile to be insightful and interesting.
posted by storybored on Aug 24, 2008 - 6 answers

Is there anything like an IMDB for rock music? or for sports figures? [more inside]
posted by rileyray3000 on Jul 2, 2008 - 9 answers

What's the most authoritative or well-regarded scholarly biography of Jane Austen? [more inside]
posted by Karlos the Jackal on May 5, 2008 - 6 answers

I'd really like to read a book about Charles Lindbergh but don't know which to choose of the hundreds that seem to be available. (I'm more interested in learning about his political career as a consultant/activist etc. than I am about the whole flying thing.) [more inside]
posted by Claypole on Apr 17, 2008 - 5 answers

Does it become legal to use a person's image without their consent or knowledge, as long as you put a black bar over their eyes and don't use their real name? I cannot afford to talk to a lawyer about this. [more inside]
posted by interrobang on Mar 8, 2008 - 16 answers

Writing a script about a military coup in the near future. Any suggestions for reading/viewing material? [more inside]
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth on Feb 27, 2008 - 17 answers

When did the genre of "rock biography" become what it is today? [more inside]
posted by Tube on Dec 15, 2007 - 6 answers

I need help writing a bio for an indie band. [more inside]
posted by xo on Sep 14, 2007 - 17 answers

Does the English language have a one-word verb meaning "to write a biography of someone"? And if so: does anyone use it? [more inside]
posted by mdonley on Sep 5, 2007 - 27 answers

Is there a good biography of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy? Please recommend.
posted by spicynuts on Jul 29, 2007 - 4 answers

I've really enjoyed reading 'Memo from David O. Selznick' - can anyone suggest something in a similar line ? [more inside]
posted by southof40 on Jul 21, 2007 - 4 answers

Can anyone recommend a good book about Atatürk? [more inside]
posted by kosem on May 16, 2007 - 4 answers

Sports Bio Recomendations. [more inside]
posted by jonmc on Apr 28, 2007 - 19 answers

Can you suggest a good biography on Abraham Lincoln and /or a history of the Civil War? [more inside]
posted by BluGnu on Feb 12, 2007 - 17 answers

Help me find a good monograph or two about Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci. [more inside]
posted by bigcheesegump on Feb 11, 2007 - 5 answers

Does anyone have good examples of rock autobiographies or biographies which give an honest account of life on the road? [more inside]
posted by rhodri on Jan 3, 2007 - 23 answers

How can I prepare best for a period of reseach consolidation/writing? [more inside]
posted by paduasoy on Oct 19, 2006 - 4 answers

Help me create a comprehensive reading list on American history [more inside]
posted by dead_ on Jul 17, 2006 - 37 answers

FoundingFathersfilter: What would be considered the best biographies of James Madison and James Monroe? [more inside]
posted by Atreides on Jul 10, 2006 - 2 answers

Looking for unique and offbeat biographical book/article recommendations. More specifically lives/events that have played out in the last 70 years or so. [more inside]
posted by np312 on Jun 26, 2006 - 14 answers

I'd like to write a book about a band. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by interrobang on Jun 6, 2006 - 6 answers

How would I write a biography or history book? [more inside]
posted by Tin Man on May 18, 2006 - 4 answers

What's the best way to organise a book of old newspaper clippings, quotes and recipes? (Scanned and/or transcribed) [more inside]
posted by slightlybewildered on May 13, 2006 - 2 answers

Do you have a favorite biography of John Locke (the British Empiricist)? [more inside]
posted by oddman on May 7, 2006 - 2 answers

Name (or author of) of a biographical book about a RAF pilot in WW2 who loses both legs in an accident, but goes on to fly in combat and ends up in a POW camp, which he then manages to escape from.
posted by azuma on Mar 7, 2006 - 11 answers

"President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, I'm looking for the best biography on you", I said. But he did not know, so I am asking you. [more inside]
posted by TwelveTwo on Mar 1, 2006 - 6 answers

Biographical-style humor incorporating absurd claims: Does it have a name, and where can I find more? [more inside]
posted by i love cheese on Jan 11, 2006 - 19 answers

Hi, I am looking for the spelling of the surname of my great-grandfather. He lived in Opatija (Croatia) during most of the first forty years of the twentieth century. The town was called Abbazia then, reflecting the Italian influence at the time. Surnames were also Italianised; his became Simainski. I have seen variations such as Szimanski, Simanszki and various "y"s instead of "i"s. Since most archives seem lost in Opatija, I was wondering if somebody can point me to sources where I can find out more. Thanks! Marco
posted by mbotta on Nov 8, 2005 - 10 answers

Assuming a prominent historical figure has several biographies written about him or her, how do you go about selecting the biography that most closely approaches "canonical"? [more inside]
posted by cadastral on Sep 22, 2005 - 3 answers